Job action has escalated for transit supervisors in Metro Vancouver.
The union representing transit supervisors and their employer was unable to reach a deal before a deadline Monday morning. Bus and SeaBus services are now suspended for 48 hours for most of the region.
In a statement early Monday morning, the union representing transit supervisors, CUPE 4500 says despite mediation, they were unable to reach a deal with the Coast Mountain Bus Company before a 3 a.m. deadline Monday.
“With the help of our mediator, CUPE 4500 put in an honest effort to find some common ground with Coast Mountain. But we are still not near where we need to be in addressing our key issues.”
Starting Monday morning, picket lines are up at CMBC transit centres in Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby, Port Coquitlam, and the SeaBus North Vancouver Terminal.
The union says negotiations have not produced a fair settlement, saying, “4500 members need wage discrepancies closed between them and other TransLink supervisors, and we need to tackle critical workload issues.”
In a statement, Coast Mountain Bus Company President, Michael McDaniel says the company met with a mediator over the weekend in an effort to reach a deal.
“CMBC offered increased overtime pay, improved benefits, and committed to hiring more supervisors.”
“Unfortunately, the union again refused the improved offer. This is unacceptable and unreasonable.”
In an update late Sunday, CUPE 7000 says it doesn’t expect picket lines at SkyTrain stations Monday morning after the Labour Board decided not to hold a hearing regarding CUPE 4500’s application to picket TransLink, BC Rapid Transit Company, West Coast Express and Protrans, operator of the Canada Line.
They say until the Labour Board grants the application, they do not expect picket lines at SkyTrain stations. In its bulletin to members, the union writes all CUPE 7000 SkyTrain members should be prepared to report for work and expect significant disruptions.
It has also indicated that the union’s executive board will update members should the situation change.
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The union representing rapid transit and rail workers in Metro Vancouver has notified its members that all transit may be shut down on Monday. That includes the SkyTrain, buses and SeaBus systems.
Global News has obtained a copy of an internal memo from CUPE 7000, which states: “Our friends at CUPE 4500, transit supervisors at Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC), are getting ready to walk out Monday morning. They are meeting with a mediator (Sunday), but if they don’t get a fair deal, they will be withdrawing all services at 3:00 a.m. Monday morning for 48 hours. This will mean a complete shutdown of all bus and SeaBus services in the Lower Mainland for two days.”
CUPE 7000 said CUPE 4500 has filed a complaint with the Labour Relations Board against TransLink, BC Rapid Transit Company, West Coast Express and Protrans for taking steps to reduce the impact on customers during the strike escalation.
The union also said CUPE 4500 has requested an immediate hearing, and is seeking to add additional picket lines, including SkyTrain facilities.
“We realize this is very short notice, but we can’t let CMBC and TransLink step on the rights of union members,” the memo said. “We need to fight back and keep a united front with CUPE 4500 as they fight for fair wages and better working conditions in our sector.”
CUPE 7000 said if there are picket lines at SkyTrain facilities, its members will not cross them.
“If you come across a CUPE 4500 picket line at a SkyTrain station, or any of the Operations and Maintenance (Centres), you do not have to report for work,” the memo said.
TransLink provided a short statement late Sunday afternoon stating, “At this time, CUPE Local 4500 can only legally picket bus and SeaBus.
“We will communicate any updates with our customers as soon as we know more.”
They write they expect SkyTrain facilities, including the Expo, Canada Line, and Millennium Line as well as the West Coast Express to operate as normal Monday.
CUPE 4500 represents transit supervisors, who have been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2022. It launched an overtime ban on Jan. 6.
The union’s key demands are increased staffing levels and a significant wage increase.
Coast Mountain Bus Company spokesperson Mike Killeen previously said on Friday that the company was “extremely disappointed” at the threat of a work stoppage. Killeen said supervisors have been offered a 13.5 per cent wage increase over three years.
The union maintains that the wage issue is not about the annual wage increases, it’s that the base wages are not equal to what supervisors elsewhere under the TransLink umbrella are earning.
— With files from Simon Little
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